A European Commission has extended approval of the herbicide glyphosate — the active ingredient in Roundup weed killer — through 2017 after EU member states failed to either approve or ban the chemical.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was diagnosed with any form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma after using or being exposed to Roundup, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against Monsanto and our lawyers can help.

Update: EU Approves Roundup Ready Soybeans

July 25, 2016 – The European Union (EU) has approved the import and processing of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, after debates over the potential health risks of glyphosate delayed introduction of the GMO crops for months. The soybeans are now authorized to be used both in human and animal food, but not for planting in the EU. The authorization is valid for a decade; however, “any products produced from these GMOs will be subject to the EU’s strict labeling and traceability rules,” according to the European Commission.

What’s the Problem?

June 30, 2016 – The EU’s current approval of glyphosate was set to expire today, according to EcoWatch. Had that happened, manufacturers would have had to phase out products containing the ingredient within 6 months.

Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis announced the last-minute extension on Tuesday, despite failing 3 consecutive times to secure a majority decision from the EU member states.

Europe’s view on glyphosate has been divided since March 2015, when the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report stating that the herbicide is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” To complicate matters, other regulatory agencies including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have since declared glyphosate to be safe.

The 18 month extension will allow the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to further investigate the chemical’s safety. However, because the commission initially proposed to extend glyphosate for another 15 years but has now reduced it to a temporary approval underscores the uncertain fate of glyphosate in Europe.

“There are clear concerns about the health risks with glyphosate, both as regards it being a carcinogen and an endocrine disruptor,” said Green Party MEP Bart Staes. “Moreover, glyphosate’s devastating impact on biodiversity should have already led to its ban. The process of phasing-out glyphosate and other toxic herbicides and pesticides from agriculture must begin now, and this means reorienting the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy towards a more sustainable agricultural model and a Common Food Policy.”

Staes further noted that under the current legislation, EU member states have the power to impose restrictions on glyphosate, with France and others already saying they will do so.

Do I have a Roundup Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Roundup lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new cancer cases in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you developed any form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) after using or being exposed to Roundup, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.